“Gu Lang.”
“Xianhong.” Gu Yuan feigned a difficult expression, lowering his head and saying, “I’m sorry, some things have happened these past few days, and I really don’t have the face to see you.”
“It’s alright!”
Lin Xianhong shook her head firmly.
“I know, none of this is your fault.”
“It must be Ning Que secretly harming you.”
“He is such a hypocrite.”
“He speaks nicely on the surface, but he’s very sinister behind your back.”
At this, Lin Xianhong paused again.
After all, who was cleaner than whom?
Weren’t they the ones who wanted to poison Ning Que?
“Sigh…” Gu Yuan let out a long sigh, “My father wants to retaliate in kind, and it’s also my fault for being too soft-hearted. During the drinking game, I could have poisoned him. But I thought that it wasn’t what a gentleman would do, and Prince Ning’s Manor hasn’t had it easy these past few years, so I decided not to bother with Ning Que. But the result… he actually turned around and poisoned me, and even made me make a fool of myself in public!”
“Gu Lang, you are too benevolent.”
Lin Xianhong said without thinking.
She didn’t have a shred of doubt.
In her heart, Gu Yuan was a good person.
Whatever Gu Yuan said was right.
He wouldn’t deceive her!
“Forget it, let’s not talk about these things.”
“Mm, you don’t need to care about the rumors outside.” Lin Xianhong nodded, “They are just being misled. Ning Que is merely relying on Emperor Feng’s favor and a bit of cleverness. Once he truly steps onto the battlefield, he will naturally reveal his true colors. On that day, they will understand that Great Feng cannot do without you.”
“Let’s hope so.”
Gu Yuan looked into the distance and said softly, “I heard that the Eight Treasures Company has arrived in Chang’an and will be preparing an auction in a few days. It coincides with the Empress Dowager’s banquet, so my father wants to buy some rare treasures as a birthday gift. If the Empress Dowager is pleased, perhaps she will recommend me to lead the troops again.”
“Mm, I heard.”
Lin Xianhong nodded.
The Eight Treasures Company is the number one trading company in China!
Its footprint spreads across various countries.
The most famous Baibao Pavilion in Chang’an City is said to have intricate ties with the Eight Treasures Company. The Eight Treasures Company has existed for a long time, but it began to expand rapidly five years ago. With various treasures, it is now a well-deserved commercial overlord.
They even control the economic lifelines of some small countries; their rulers have to heed their expressions, and a stomp of their foot can cause an earthquake.
The Eight Treasures Company claims to have everything imaginable.
As long as you have money, you can buy anything!
Coinciding with the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, it was indeed a good opportunity.
Since Old Prince Ning’s death, the Empress Dowager no longer inquired about court affairs.
She remained in the inner palace, eating vegetarian meals and chanting Buddhist scriptures daily.
But Emperor Feng was a filial emperor.
He was almost completely obedient to the Empress Dowager.
As long as the Empress Dowager was happy and put in a good word.
Emperor Feng would surely change his mind.
“However…”
“What?”
Gu Yuan looked troubled and sighed, “You know the situation of my Gu Family now. The money I promised you last time will probably be difficult to deliver. Xianhong, I am truly sorry.”
“It’s alright.”
Lin Xianhong had become quite understanding now; she looked at Gu Yuan and said, “I don’t want to manage the Jiang Family matters anymore. Anyway, it’s their debt, and it has nothing to do with me.”
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to manage it.
It was that she couldn’t now.
Her family was in chaos now.
Lin Chao had already been escorted to the Northern Frontier.
Her mother washed her face with tears every day.
She would curse her two sentences at every turn.
Calling her a slut, a shameless hussy.
Saying she wouldn’t be a good Princess Consort and insisted on saving Gu Yuan.
Her grandfather was ill in bed, and his condition was worsening.
When she treated her grandfather, he only held her hand.
Hoping she could go and sincerely apologize to Ning Que.
Not asking Ning Que to forgive, but mainly to show her stance.
After all, she was the one who made the mistake in the first place.
Even Lin Qinghuan, who had always spoken up for her, had turned against her this time. Because of the Jiang Family Family breaking off the engagement, she couldn’t hold her head up now and was angry at Lin Xianhong.
Why?
Lin Xianhong was now a well-known abandoned woman in Chang’an!
Anyone who valued family upbringing would not marry a Jiang Family woman.
Moreover, Lin Xianhong had offended Ning Que!
The Jiang Family Family owed their current position entirely to Old Prince Ning.
With this connection, the Jiang Family Family would definitely break off the engagement!
They had been too confident before.
They truly thought the Jiang Family Family liked Lin Qinghuan herself.
In reality, it was for Ning Que’s sake!
Now that they had offended Ning Que, could they still marry her?
So, everyone in the family was blaming her now.
Even Lin Chao, who hadn’t expressed a clear stance, always grumbled about being broke in front of her. He also indirectly asked if the Gu Family’s money had arrived. The Jiang Family Family still owed a mountain of debt and had to spend money to smooth things over.
Lin Xianhong was utterly disappointed.
She had no lingering attachment to the Jiang Family Family.
She just wanted to marry into the Gu Family quickly.
“It’s good that you understand.” Gu Yuan smiled slightly, “This Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet is very important, so we cannot miss the Eight Treasures Company’s auction. I don’t have much funds on hand, Xianhong, can you lend me some first?”
“I…” Lin Xianhong lowered her head, “You know my current situation. Ever since Master came out of the mountains and opened a medical clinic, my business has plummeted. Even those who come for treatment don’t have much money, and now I can barely support myself.”
“That’s easy to handle.”
Gu Yuan smiled, “My Gu Family has an old acquaintance who has some private matters, and he also knows some people with the same condition. If Xianhong can treat them, you can earn a lot of money.”
“Private matters?”
Lin Xianhong’s pretty face flushed.
She understood now.
“This…”
“Xianhong, don’t mind it, it’s just treating illnesses.” Gu Yuan smiled and sighed, “I know this is also hard on you. But my Gu Family is also short on money now. If we want to participate in the Eight Treasures Company’s auction, we can’t do it without enough cash.”
“Forget it, it’s fine if you don’t want to.”
“If it really doesn’t work, I’ll sell some shops.”
“No matter what, I can’t let you suffer!”
When Lin Xianhong heard these words, her heart immediately warmed. Without thinking much, she stood up and raised her hand, saying, “Gu Lang, no matter what it is, I am willing to help you. Since you brought it up, I don’t feel wronged. As long as I can help you, I feel very happy.”
“Xianhong…”
Gu Yuan stood up and tightly embraced Lin Xianhong, while simultaneously revealing a look of disgust. The matter of private matters was naturally all fake. In reality, there were a few old lechers who were very interested in Lin Xianhong and had offered a high price. As long as he could trick Lin Xianhong over, they could get thirty thousand taels of silver combined!
The Gu Family was truly short on money now!
To participate in the auction, he could only resort to this desperate measure.
Gu Yuan also didn’t expect Lin Xianhong to be worth so much. Although it was a bit regrettable, she was no longer a virgin; she was a hussy ruined by Ning Que. Selling her to those old lechers could be considered making the best use of her.
After the deed was done, he would pretend to have found out. At the same time, he would say a few good words to Lin Xianhong, which would naturally dispel her doubts. Anyway, Lin Xianhong was very foolish; no matter what he said, Lin Xianhong would believe him.
Gu Yuan’s eyes grew colder and colder.
Once he appeased the Empress Dowager, he would naturally be greatly reused.
Emperor Feng could not go against the Empress Dowager’s wishes.
The blame could only fall entirely on Ning Que!
That guy deliberately tricked them, causing the Gu Family to sell all the grain they had hoarded at high prices at a low price. Plus, seizing military power harmed the interests of his Gu Family!
He wanted revenge!
He wanted to make Ning Que lose everything!